A Mystery of Japanese Academic Year

Why we start a new term at school in April in Japan? This was a question by Ms.Albury who's a traveller from Britain. Well it's a good question actually. In Japan, the academic year starts in April, and ends in March of the following year. It's not only academic system but also it happens to the office or companies in most of cases. Some says because our traditional. Since when? Some says because we care of each four seasons so much. Plants and animals get to start to live actively in Spring. All right, who decided spring is the best season to start everything?

Japan started Westernizing during the Meiji era (1868-1912). The idea of school system also came from western countries. Until 1872, there's no new term for the reason there's no grade at school. In 1873, at some school (pre Tokyo University) academic year started in September, and ended in July of the following year influenced by western system. After all, most of shool followed this academic calender. Most of professors at university or college were also from western countries in those periods, so it's very convenient for them to come to Japan to teach.

In 1887, high school started in April. Until 1921, in every (primary, junior high, college) school in Japan, academic year starts in April. Why did they change the system??? According to some historical information, it seems there's a reason for the budget fiscal year in our country in March-April. At that time, all the school expenses were controled by government, so it seemed more convenient and reasonable to do the start of work period as well as the budget siscal year in our country. Since then, Cherry blossam season is the best to say good-bye and start new life!

Nowadays, more our country is globalized and internationalized, more people tend to think this system is inconvenient. Many Japanese study abroad and many foriegn students come to Japan as well. In those situation, Japanese academic year doesn't match to other countries' one. (Or I can say their academic year doesn't fit to ours!) Some says this causes a tough situation to students who want to enter a college in overseas or who wants to enter Japanese college. On the other hands, some says it's an advantage to take a break or to prepare for something before they start college life in different country.

I heard Korean academic year starts in March and it starts in January or February in the southern hemisphere. What do you think the best to start academic year?